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Regulation 13

SCHEDULE 4(Annex III to the Pressure Equipment Directive)CONFORMITY ASSESSMENT PROCEDURES

The obligations arising from the provisions on pressure equipment in this Annex also apply to assemblies.

Module A (internal production control)

1.  This module describes the procedure whereby the manufacturer or his authorised representative established within the Community who carries out the obligations laid down in section 2 ensures and declares that pressure equipment satisfies the requirements of the Directive which apply to it. The manufacturer, or his authorised representative established within the Community, must affix the CE marking to each item of pressure equipment and draw up a written declaration of conformity.

2.  The manufacturer must draw up the technical documentation described in section 3 and either the manufacturer or his authorised representative established within the Community must keep it at the disposal of the relevant national authorities for inspection purposes for a period of ten years after the last of the pressure equipment has been manufactured.

3.  The technical documentation must enable an assessment to be made of the conformity of the pressure equipment with the requirements of the Directive which apply to it. It must, as far as is relevant for such assessment, cover the design, manufacture and operation of the pressure equipment and contain:

2.  The manufacturer, or his authorised representative established within the Community, must keep a copy of the declaration of conformity with the technical documentation.

5.  The manufacturer must take all measures necessary to ensure that the manufacturing process requires the manufactured pressure equipment to comply with the technical documen tation referred to in section 2 and with the requirements of the Directive which apply to it.

Module A1 (internal manufacturing checks with monitoring of the final assess ment)

In addition to the requirements of module A, the following applies.

Final assessment must be performed by the manufacturer and monitored by means of unexpected visits by a notified body chosen by the manufacturer.

During such visits, the notified body must:

Should one or more of the items of pressure equipment not conform, the notified body must take appropriate measures.

On the responsibility of the notified body, the manufacturer must affix the former’s identification number on each item of pressure equipment.

Module B (EC type-examination)

1.  This module describes the part of the procedure by which a notified body ascertains and attests that a representative example of the production in question meets the provisions of the Directive which apply to it.

2.  The application for EC type-examination must be lodged by the manufacturer or by his authorised representative established within the Community with a single notified body of his choice.

The application must include:

The applicant must place at the disposal of the notified body a representative example of the production envisaged, hereinafter called `type'. The notified body may request further examples should the test programme so require.

A type may cover several versions of pressure equipment provided that the differences between the versions do not affect the level of safety.

3.  The technical documentation must enable an assessment to be made of the conformity of the pressure equipment with the requirements of the Directive which apply to it. It must, as far as is relevant for such assessment, cover the design, manufacture and operation of the pressure equipment and contain:

4.  The notified body must:

4.1. examine the technical documentation, verify that the type has been manufactured in conformity with it and identify the components designed in accordance with the relevant provisions of the standards referred to in Article 5, as well as those designed without applying the provisions of those standards.

4.2. perform or have performed the appropriate examinations and necessary tests to establish whether the solutions adopted by the manufacturer meet the essential requirements of the Directive where the standards referred to in Article 5 have not been applied.

4.3. perform or have performed the appropriate examinations and necessary tests to establish whether, where the manufacturer has chosen to apply the relevant standards, these have actually been applied.

4.4. agree with the applicant the location where the examinations and necessary tests are to be carried out.

5.  Where the type satisfies the provisions of the Directive which apply to it, the notified body must issue an EC type-examination certificate to the applicant. The certificate, which should be valid for ten years and be renewable, must contain the name and address of the manufacturer, the conclusions of the examination and the necessary data for identification of the approved type.

6.  The applicant must inform the notified body that holds the technical documentation concerning the EC type-examination certificate of all modifications to the approved pressure equipment; these are subject to additional approval where they may affect conformity with the essential requirements or the prescribed conditions for use of the pressure equipment. This additional approval must be given in the form of an addition to the original EC type-examination certificate.

7.  Each notified body must communicate to the Member States the relevant information concerning EC type-examination certificates which it has withdrawn, and, on request, those it has issued.

Each notified body must also communicate to the other notified bodies the relevant information concerning the EC type-examination certificates it has withdrawn or refused.

8.  The other notified bodies may receive copies of the EC type-examination certificates and/or their additions. The annexes to the certificates must be held at the disposal of the other notified bodies.

9.  The manufacturer, or his authorised representative established within the Community, must keep with the technical documentation copies of EC type-examination certificates and their additions for a period of ten years after the last of the pressure equipment has been manufactured.

Where neither the manufacturer nor his authorised representative is established within the Community, the obligation to keep the technical documentation available is the responsibility of the person who places the product on the Community market.

Module B1 (EC design-examination)

1.  This module describes the part of the procedure whereby a notified body ascertains and attests that the design of an item of pressure equipment meets the provisions of the Directive which apply to it.

The experimental design method provided for in section 2.2.4 of Annex I may not be used in the context of this module.

2.  The manufacturer, or his authorised representative established within the Community, must lodge an application for EC design examination with a single notified body.

The application must include:

The application may cover several versions of the pressure equipment provided that the differences between the versions do not affect the level of safety.

3.  The technical documentation must enable an assessment to be made of the conformity of the pressure equipment with the requirements of the Directive which apply to it. It must, as far as is relevant for such assessment, cover the design, manufacture and operation of the pressure equipment and contain:

4.  The notified body must:

4.1. examine the technical documentation and identify the components which have been designed in accordance with the relevant provisions of the standards referred to in Article 5, as well as those which have been designed without applying the relevant provisions of those standards.

4.2. perform the necessary examinations to establish whether the solutions adopted by the manufacturer meet the essential requirements of the Directive where the standards referred to in Article 5 have not been applied.

4.3. perform the necessary examinations to establish whether, where the manufacturer has chosen to apply the relevant standards, these have actually been applied.

5.  Where the design meets the provisions of the Directive which apply to it, the notified body must issue an EC design-examination certificate to the applicant. The certificate must contain the name and address of the applicant, the conclusions of the examination, conditions for its validity and the necessary data for identification of the approved design.

6.  The applicant must inform the notified body that holds the technical documentation concerning the EC design-examination certificate of all modifications to the approved design; these are subject to additional approval where such changes may affect the conformity of the pressure equipment with the essential requirements of the Directive or the prescribed conditions for use of the equipment. This additional approval must be given in the form of an addition to the original EC design-examination certificate.

7.  Each notified body must communicate to the Member States the relevant information concerning EC design-examination certificates which it has withdrawn, and, on request, those it has issued.

Each notified body must also communicate to the other notified bodies the relevant information concerning the EC design-examination certificates it has withdrawn or refused.

8.  The other notified bodies may on request obtain the relevant information concerning:

9.  The manufacturer, or his authorised representative established within the Community, must keep with the technical documentation referred to in section 3 copies of EC design-examination certificates and their additions for a period of ten years after the last of the pressure equipment has been manufactured.

Where neither the manufacturer nor his authorised representative is established within the Community, the obligation to keep the technical documentation available is the responsibility of the person who places the product on the Community market.

Module C1 (conformity to type)

1.  This module describes that part of the procedure whereby the manufacturer, or his authorised representative established within the Community, ensures and declares that pressure equipment is in conformity with the type as described in the EC type-examination certificate and satisfies the requirements of the Directive which apply to it. The manufacturer, or his authorised representative established within the Community, must affix the CE marking to each item of pressure equipment and draw up a written declaration of conformity.

2.  The manufacturer must take all measures necessary to ensure that the manufacturing process requires the manufactured pressure equipment to comply with the type as described in the EC type-examination certificate and with the requirements of the Directive which apply to it.

3.  The manufacturer, or his authorised representative established within the Community, must keep a copy of the declaration of conformity for a period of ten years after the last of the pressure equipment has been manufactured.

Where neither the manufacturer nor his authorised representative is established within the Community, the obligation to keep the technical documentation available is the responsibility of the person who places the pressure equipment on the Community market.

4.  Final assessment must be subject to monitoring in the form of unexpected visits by a notified body chosen by the manufacturer.

During such visits, the notified body must:

Should one or more of the items of pressure equipment not conform, the notified body must take appropriate measures.

On the responsibility of the notified body, the manufacturer must affix the former’s identification number on each item of pressure equipment.

Module D (production quality assurance)

1.  This module describes the procedure whereby the manufacturer who satisfies the obligations of section 2 ensures and declares that the pressure equipment concerned is in conformity with the type described in the EC type-examination certificate or EC design-exam ination certificate and satisfies the requirements of the Directive which apply to it. The manufacturer, or his authorised representative established within the Community, must affix the CE marking to each item of pressure equipment and draw up a written declaration of conformity. The CE marking must be accompanied by the identification number of the notified body responsible for surveillance as specified in section 4.

2.  The manufacturer must operate an approved quality system for production, final inspection and testing as specified in section 3 and be subject to surveillance as specified in section 4.

3.  Quality system

3.1. The manufacturer must lodge an application for assessment of his quality system with a notified body of his choice.

3.2. The quality system must ensure compliance of the pressure equipment with the type described in the EC type-examination certificate or EC design-examination certificate and with the requirements of the Directive which apply to it.

3.3. The notified body must assess the quality system to determine whether it satisfies the requirements referred to in 3.2. The elements of the quality system which conform to the relevant harmonised standard are presumed to comply with the corresponding requirements referred to in 3.2.

3.4. The manufacturer must undertake to fulfil the obligations arising out of the quality system as approved and to ensure that it remains satisfactory and efficient.

4.  Surveillance under the responsibility of the notified body

4.1. The purpose of surveillance is to make sure that the manufacturer duly fulfils the obligations arising out of the approved quality system.

4.2. The manufacturer must allow the notified body access for inspection purposes to the locations of manufacture, inspection, testing and storage and provide it with all necessary information, in particular:

4.3. The notified body must carry out periodic audits to make sure that the manufacturer maintains and applies the quality system and provide the manufacturer with an audit report. The frequency of periodic audits must be such that a full reassessment is carried out every three years.

4.4. In addition the notified body may pay unexpected visits to the manufacturer. The need for such additional visits, and the frequency thereof, will be determined on the basis of a visit control system operated by the notified body. In particular, the following factors must be considered in the visit control system:

5.  The manufacturer must, for a period of ten years after the last of the pressure equipment has been manufactured, hold at the disposal of the national authorities:

6.  Each notified body must communicate to the Member States the relevant information concerning the quality system approvals which it has withdrawn, and, on request, those it has issued.

Each notified body must also communicate to the other notified bodies the relevant information concerning the quality system approvals it has withdrawn or refused.

Module D1 (production quality assurance)

1.  This module describes the procedure whereby the manufacturer who satisfies the obligations of section 3 ensures and declares that the items of pressure equipment concerned satisfy the requirements of the Directive which apply to them. The manufacturer, or his authorised representative established within the Community, must affix the CE marking to each item of pressure equipment and draw up a written declaration of conformity. The CE marking must be accompanied by the identification number of the notified body responsible for surveillance as specified in section 5.

2.  The manufacturer must draw up the technical documentation described below.

The technical documentation must enable an assessment to be made of the conformity of the pressure equipment with the requirements of the Directive which apply to it. It must, as far as is relevant for such assessment, cover the design, manufacture and operation of the pressure equipment and contain:

3.  The manufacturer must operate an approved quality system for production, final inspection and testing as specified in section 4 and be subject to surveillance as specified in section 5.

4.  Quality system

4.1. The manufacturer must lodge an application for assessment of his quality system with a notified body of his choice.

4.2. The quality system must ensure compliance of the pressure equipment with the requirements of the Directive which apply to it.

4.3. The notified body must assess the quality system to determine whether it satisfies the requirements referred to in 4.2. The elements of the quality system which conform to the relevant harmonised standard are presumed to comply with the corresponding requirements referred to in 4.2.

4.4. The manufacturer must undertake to fulfil the obligations arising out of the quality system as approved and to ensure that it remains satisfactory and efficient.

5.  Surveillance under the responsibility of the notified body

5.1. The purpose of surveillance is to make sure that the manufacturer duly fulfils the obligations arising out of the approved quality system.

5.2. The manufacturer must allow the notified body access for inspection purposes to the locations of manufacture, inspection, testing and storage and provide it with all necessary information, in particular:

5.3. The notified body must carry out periodic audits to make sure that the manufacturer maintains and applies the quality system and provide the manufacturer with an audit report. The frequency of periodic audits must be such that a full reassessment is carried out every three years.

5.4. In addition the notified body may pay unexpected visits to the manufacturer. The need for such additional visits, and the frequency thereof, will be determined on the basis of a visit control system operated by the notified body. In particular, the following factors must be considered in the visit control system:

6.  The manufacturer must, for a period of ten years after the last of the pressure equipment has been manufactured, hold at the disposal of the national authorities:

7.  Each notified body must communicate to the Member States the relevant information concerning the quality system approvals which it has withdrawn, and, on request, those it has issued.

Module E (product quality assurance)

1.  This module describes the procedure whereby the manufacturer who satisfies the obligations of section 2 ensures and declares that the pressure equipment is in conformity with the type as described in the EC type-examination certificate and satisfies the requirements of the Directive which apply to it. The manufacturer, or his authorised representative established within the Community, must affix the CE marking to each product and draw up a written declaration of conformity. The CE marking must be accompanied by the identification number of the notified body responsible for surveillance as specified in section 4.

2.  The manufacturer must operate an approved quality system for the final pressure equipment inspection and testing as specified in section 3 and be subject to surveillance as specified in section 4.

3.  Quality system

3.1. The manufacturer must lodge an application for assessment of his quality system for the pressure equipment with a notified body of his choice.

3.2. Under the quality system, each item of pressure equipment must be examined and appropriate tests as set out in the relevant standard(s) referred to in Article 5, or equivalent tests, particularly final assessment as referred to in section 3.2 of Annex I, must be carried out in order to ensure its conformity with the requirements of the Directive which apply to it. All the elements, requirements and provisions adopted by the manufacturer must be documented in a systematic and orderly manner in the form of written policies, procedures and instructions. This quality system documentation must permit a consistent interpretation of the quality programmes, plans, manuals and records.

3.3. The notified body must assess the quality system to determine whether it satisfies the requirements referred to in 3.2. The elements of the quality system which conform to the relevant harmonised standard are presumed to comply with the corresponding requirements referred to in 3.2.

3.4. The manufacturer must undertake to discharge the obligations arising from the quality system as approved and to ensure that it remains satisfactory and efficient.

4.  Surveillance under the responsibility of the notified body

4.1. The purpose of surveillance is to make sure that the manufacturer duly fulfils the obligations arising out of the approved quality system.

4.2. The manufacturer must allow the notified body access for inspection purposes to the locations of inspection, testing and storage and provide it with all necessary information, in particular:

4.3. The notified body must carry out periodic audits to make sure that the manufacturer maintains and applies the quality system and provide the manufacturer with an audit report. The frequency of periodic audits must be such that a full reassessment is carried out every three years.

4.4. In addition the notified body may pay unexpected visits to the manufacturer. The need for such additional visits, and the frequency thereof, will be determined on the basis of a visit control system operated by the notified body. In particular, the following factors must be considered in the visit control system:

5.  The manufacturer must, for a period of ten years after the last of the pressure equipment has been manufactured, hold at the disposal of the national authorities:

6.  Each notified body must communicate to the Member States the relevant information concerning the quality system approvals which it has withdrawn and, on request, those it has issued.

Module E1 (product quality assurance)

1.  This module describes the procedure whereby the manufacturer who satisfies the obligations of section 3 ensures and declares that the pressure equipment satisfies the requirements of the Directive which apply to it. The manufacturer, or his authorised representative established within the Community must affix the CE marking to each item of pressure equipment and draw up a written declaration of conformity. The CE marking must be accompanied by the identification number of the notified body responsible for surveillance as specified in section 5.

2.  The manufacturer must draw up the technical documentation described below.

3.  The manufacturer must operate an approved quality system for the final pressure equipment inspection and testing as specified in section 4 and be subject to surveillance as specified in section 5.

4.  Quality system

4.1. The manufacturer must lodge an application for assessment of his quality system with a notified body of his choice.

The application must include:

4.2. Under the quality system, each item of pressure equipment must be examined and appropriate tests as set out in the relevant standard(s) referred to in Article 5, or equivalent tests, and particularly final assessment as referred to in section 3.2 of Annex I, must be carried out in order to ensure its conformity with the requirements of the Directive which apply to it. All the elements, requirements and provisions adopted by the manufacturer must be documented in a systematic and orderly manner in the form of written policies, procedures and instructions. This quality system documentation must permit a consistent interpretation of the quality programmes, plans, manuals and records.

4.3. The notified body must assess the quality system to determine whether it satisfies the requirements referred to in 4.2. The elements of the quality system which conform to the relevant harmonised standard are presumed to comply with the corresponding requirements referred to in 4.2.

4.4. The manufacturer must undertake to discharge the obligations arising from the quality system as approved and to ensure that it remains satisfactory and efficient.

5.  Surveillance under the responsibility of the notified body

5.1. The purpose of surveillance is to make sure that the manufacturer duly fulfils the obligations arising out of the approved quality system.

5.2. The manufacturer must allow the notified body access for inspection purposes to the locations of inspection, testing and storage and provide it with all necessary information, in particular:

5.3. The notified body must carry out periodic audits to make sure that the manufacturer maintains and applies the quality system and provide the manufacturer with an audit report. The frequency of periodic audits must be such that a full reassessment is carried out every three years.

5.4. In addition the notified body may pay unexpected visits to the manufacturer. The need for such additional visits, and the frequency thereof, will be determined on the basis of a visit control system operated by the notified body. In particular, the following factors must be considered in the visit control system:

6.  The manufacturer must, for a period of ten years after the last of the pressure equipment has been manufactured, keep at the disposal of the national authorities:

7.  Each notified body must communicate to the Member States the relevant information concerning the quality system approvals which it has withdrawn and, on request, those it has issued.

Module F (product verification)

1.  This module describes the procedure whereby a manufacturer, or his authorised representative established within the Community, ensures and declares that the pressure equipment subject to the provisions of section 3 is in conformity with the type described:

and satisfies the requirements of the Directive which apply to it.

2.  The manufacturer must take all measures necessary to ensure that the manufacturing process requires the pressure equipment to comply with the type described

and with the requirements of the Directive which apply to it.

3.  The notified body must perform the appropriate examinations and tests in order to check the conformity of the pressure equipment with the relevant requirements of the Directive by examining and testing every product in accordance with section 4.

4.  Verification by examination and testing of each item of pressure equipment

4.1. Each item of pressure equipment must be individually examined and must undergo appropriate examinations and tests as set out in the relevant standard(s) referred to in Article 5 or equivalent examinations and tests in order to verify that it conforms to the type and the requirements of the Directive which apply to it.

4.2. The notified body must affix its identification number or have it affixed to each item of pressure equipment and draw up a written certificate of conformity relating to the tests carried out.

4.3. The manufacturer, or his authorised representative established within the Community, must ensure that the certificates of conformity issued by the notified body can be made available on request.

Module G (EC unit verification)

1.  This module describes the procedure whereby the manufacturer ensures and declares that pressure equipment which has been issued with the certificate referred to in section 4.1 satisfies the requirements of the Directive which apply to it. The manufacturer must affix the CE marking to the pressure equipment and draw up a declaration of conformity.

2.  The manufacturer must apply to a notified body of his choice for unit verification.

The application must contain:

3.  The technical documentation must enable the conformity of the pressure equipment with the requirements of the Directive which apply to it to be assessed and the design, manufacture and operation of the pressure equipment to be understood.

The technical documentation must contain:

4.  The notified body must examine the design and construction of each item of pressure equipment and during manufacture perform appropriate tests as set out in the relevant standard(s) referred to in Article 5 of the Directive, or equivalent examinations and tests, to ensure its conformity with the requirements of the Directive which apply to it.

In particular the notified body must:

4.1. The notified body must affix its identification number or have it affixed to the pressure equipment and draw up a certificate of conformity for the tests carried out. This certificate must be kept for a period of ten years.

4.2. The manufacturer, or his authorised representative established within the Community, must ensure that the declaration of conformity and certificate of conformity issued by the notified body can be made available on request.

Module H (full quality assurance)

1.  This module describes the procedure whereby the manufacturer who satisfies the obligations of section 2 ensures and declares that the pressure equipment in question satisfies the requirements of the Directive which apply to it. The manufacturer, or his authorised representative established within the Community, must affix the CE marking to each item of pressure equipment and draw up a written declaration of conformity. The CE marking must be accompanied by the identification number of the notified body responsible for surveillance as specified in section 4.

2.  The manufacturer must implement an approved quality system for design, manufacture, final inspection and testing as specified in section 3 and be subject to surveillance as specified in section 4.

3.  Quality system

3.1. The manufacturer must lodge an application for assessment of his quality system with a notified body of his choice.

The application must include:

3.2. The quality system must ensure compliance of the pressure equipment with the requirements of the Directive which apply to it.

3.3. The notified body must assess the quality system to determine whether it satisfies the requirements referred to in 3.2. The elements of the quality system which conform to the relevant harmonised standard are presumed to comply with the corresponding requirements referred to in 3.2.

3.4. The manufacturer must undertake to fulfil the obligations arising out of the quality system as approved and to ensure that it remains satisfactory and efficient.

4.  Surveillance under the responsibility of the notified body

4.1. The purpose of this surveillance is to make sure that the manufacturer duly fulfils the obligations arising out of the approved quality system.

4.2. The manufacturer must allow the notified body access for inspection purposes to the locations of design, manufacture, inspection, testing and storage and provide it with all necessary information, in particular:

4.3. The notified body must carry out periodic audits to make sure that the manufacturer maintains and applies the quality system and provide the manufacturer with an audit report. The frequency of periodic audits must be such that a full reassessment is carried out every three years.

4.4. In addition the notified body may pay unexpected visits to the manufacturer. The need for such additional visits, and the frequency thereof, will be determined on the basis of a visit control system operated by the notified body. In particular, the following factors must be considered in the visit control system:

5.  The manufacturer must, for a period of ten years after the last of the pressure equipment has been manufactured, keep at the disposal of the national authorities:

6.  Each notified body must communicate to the Member States the relevant information concerning the quality system approvals which it has withdrawn, and, on request, those it has issued.

Module H1 (full quality assurance with design examination and special surveillance of the final assessment)

1.  In addition to the requirements of module H, the following apply:

(a)the manufacturer must lodge an application for examination of the design with the notified body;

(b)the application must enable the design, manufacture and operation of the pressure equipment to be understood, and enable conformity with the relevant requirements of the Directive to be assessed.

(c)the notified body must examine the application and where the design meets the provisions of the Directive which apply to it issue an EC design-examination certificate to the applicant. The certificate must contain the conclusions of the examination, the conditions for its validity, the necessary data for identification of the approved design and, if relevant, a description of the functioning of the pressure equipment or accessories;

(d)the applicant must inform the notified body that has issued the EC design-examination certificate of all modifications to the approved design. Modifications to the approved design must receive additional approval from the notified body that issued the EC design-examination certificate where they may affect conformity with the essential requirements of the Directive or the prescribed conditions for use of the pressure equipment. This additional approval must be given in the form of an addition to the original EC design-examination certificate;

(e)each notified body must also communicate to the other notified bodies the relevant information concerning the EC design-examination certificates it has withdrawn or refused.

2.  Final assessment as referred to in section 3.2 of Annex I is subject to increased surveillance in the form of unexpected visits by the notified body. In the course of such visits, the notified body must conduct examinations on the pressure equipment.